The Cavaliers released Harris and guard Kenny Hayes on Thursday, leaving the roster at 15 players. That means camp invitee Mychel Thompson will make the club assuming the Cavaliers don't claim another player off waivers.

The decision to keep Thompson over Harris comes as a mild surprise, but the Michigan product never practiced in the preseason because of an injury to his right foot. In late November, he suffered the freezer burn in a cooling chamber at the Nike facility in Oregon. The chamber is designed to help speed the recovery of injuries.

Because of the lockout Harris could not be treated by team doctors. A Detroit physician prescribed an ointment or cream for the burn, but coach Byron Scott knew Harris wouldn't be able to participate in camp once he saw the injury. Harris was expected to miss at least a few more days of camp.

On Sunday, Scott said Harris would not necessarily have to practice before camp ended to secure a roster spot. He was asked Thursday if he would be reluctant to
release Harris since he likely would be picked up by another team.

“The biggest thing right now is who we think is best for the team at this
particular point,” Scott said before the decision was announced.

Harris, an undrafted free agent, played in
54 games last season with the Cavaliers, averaging 5.9
points 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.3 minutes
per game. He beat out Danny Green for the final roster spot last season. He does not have a guaranteed contract.

Thompson, 23, a Pepperdine product, was playing for the D-League Erie BayHawks prior to camp.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is the brother of Klay Thompson, drafted by Golden State with the No. 11 pick, and son of Mychal Thompson, who played with Scott in Los Angeles.

Scott has stressed defense throughout camp and his ability to defend the perimeter likely factored in the decision. The Cavs were the league's worst team in defending 3-point shots last season, allowing opponents to shoot 41.1 percent from behind the arc.